Feather-renovating apparatus



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' W. A. L'OUGHBY. 'FEATHER RBNOVATING APPARATUS. No. 569,791). Patented Got. 20, 1,896.

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(No Hedel?) W. A'. LOUGHRY, l `PIELATYILER RBNOVATING APPARATUS.

Patented 00's.l 20, 1896.

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WILLIAM ALLISON LOUGHRY, 0F YATES CENTRE, KANSAS.

FEATHER-RENOVATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,791, dated October 20, 1896.

Application filed March 28, 1895. Serial No. 543,505. (No model.)

LOUGHRY, a citizen of theUnited States, ref

siding at Yates Centre, in the county of Voodson and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Feather-Renovating Apparatus, of i which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto an improved apparatus for renovating feathers, and aims to provide in a single organized structure a washer for cleansing the feathers, means for driving off the excess of moisture from the feathers after the completion of the washing process without removing thefeathers from the said washer, a drier in which the last traces of moisture are removed from the feathers by cold air, and provisions for mechanically forcing the feathers from the drier into the tick.

As heretofore practiced the feathers have been dried by hot air, which serves to render the feathers brittle and otherwise detracts from their pli-ability, so that after a comparatively short use the feathers compress and become heavy.

By the present apparatus the elasticity of the feathers is preserved, and the latter are rendered as light as in the first instance, and

the labor of renovating is rendered less fatiguing and the operation facilitated, because the process of cleansing, drying, and filling the tick can be performed at one and the same time.

The improvement consists, essentially, of the novel features and peculiar construction and combination of the parts which' hereinafter will be more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a featherrenovating apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the vital principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus, showing the lower and the top doors of the washer open and the spaces closed by screens. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the lower portion of the washer7 parts being broken away to show more clearly the space between the casing and the inner receptacle. Fig. -it is a detail perspective view of the delivery-mouth of the drier, to which the tick is attached when filling.

The apparatus comprises, essentially, a washer l and a drier 2, which latter is so related to the washer that the feathers, after being cleansed and partially dried, can be mechanically fed to the drier, in which latter the drying is thoroughly and effectu ally attained prior to filling the tick.

The washer is composed of an upper section 3 and a lower portion el, which parts are separable and held together when assembled by any suitable provisions. The shaft 5 of the agitator is journaled at its ends in suitable notches provided in the edges of one of the parts of the washer, said notches being preferably formed in the edges of the upper section 3. A crank 7 is provided on one of the, journals to serve as a convenient means for rotating the agitator or reel 6 within the Wash er. The agitator or reel 6 may be of any desired construction, and comprises radial arms extending from the shaft 5, and crossslats 9, supported and attached to the outer ends of the said radial arms S.

The lower portion e comprises an outer casing lO and an inner receptacle ll of corresponding shape to the casing, but of smaller dimensions, so as to provide a space l2 between the adjacent walls of the said casing and inner receptacle. This space l2 is closed at its upper end by a cap-piece 13, which extends over the edges of the parts l0 and 1l and is suitably secured to the end pieces of the outer casing,which are of sufficient thickness, being preferably formed of wood, so as to receive brads or nails, by means of which the said cap-piece is held in place. A spout 14 is provided near the upper edge of the lower portion 4 and extends through the walls of the casing and inner receptacle, and is designed to supply the latter with steam and hot water when it is required to use the washer. A similar spout l5 leads from the bottom portion of the receptacle and is adapted to carry off the dirty water after the feathers have been cleansed. A short connection 16 is provided near the upper edge of the casing` and leads into the space l2 and is designed to have the hose-pipe for supplying steam or loo hot water to the space 12, connected therewith, to facilitate the expulsion of the surplus water or moisture from the feathers after the completion of the washing process. A similar connection 17 is provided at the lower end of the casing to carry off the water of condensation or admit of the hot water being drawn off from the space 12 after the feathers are sufficiently dried. The top side of the upper section 3 is provided with doors 18 for the escape of the moisture-laden air. During the washing process these doors 18 remain closed, but after the completion ofv the washing the doors are opened and the space closed by screens 1D, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. A door 2O is provided in the rear side of the section 3 and opens into the drier 2, and is adapted to admit of the free passage of the feathers from the washer -to the drier. This door 2O is closed during the washing process and the preliminary drying of the feathers.

rThe drier 2, which may be of any suitable shape, size, and pattern, is disposed in cooperative relation with the washer, so as to receive the partially-dried feathers-therefrom and complete the drying and force the feathers-into Lthe tick by mechanical means. This drier is a compartment having its sides formed of suitable material, preferably an open framework, which is closed by screen-cloth to admit of a free circulation of air, so as to hasten the dryingoperation. This com partment is preferably constructed with a view to hav-ing its several parts detaehably connected together, whereby the structure can be reduced to a compact form for transporting and storing the apparatus. As shown, the side `pieces and, in fact, all the parts are held together by means of screws or bolts 21, which are capable of being readily removed when i-t is required to reduce the structure to a knockdown condition.

A fan 2 is suitably disposed to create a blast of airfto drive off the moisture and facilitate the drying of the feathers. IVhile the precise location of the fan is immaterial, so long as it will effect the desired result it is preferred to arrange it at the lower corner of the drier adjacent to the washer, as thereby the space which otherwise would be practically lost is utilized, and the fan is protected by the framework of the washer and the drier. This fam/may be of any suitable design, and the casing opening into the drier is provided with a door or guard 23, which can be opened more or less to regulate the blast of the air and change the direction thereof. This door or guard 23 may be disposed in any desired manner, and is preferably hinged at its upper edge, as shown. Suitable provisions will be had for operating the door from the outside of the drier, and as a convenient and simple means of attaining this result a cord 24 is provided Aand attached at one end to the said door and having its opposite end extended through an opening in the side of the drier. so as to be within convenient reach of the attendant to be grasped when it is required to change the position of the door.

The drying-chamber 2 is provided in its sides with doors 25 to admit of access to the interior of the drier for any desired purpose. A door 26 is provided in the rear side of the drier near the upper end and closes an opening through which the feathers after beine,` dried are forced into the tick. This door is hinged at its upper edge and opens outward at its lower end. A iiange 27 closes or surrounds the opening closed bythe door 26 on three sides and forms a mouth for the ready attachment thereto of the tick. To prevent a space between the ends of the door 26 and the end pieces of the flange or mouth 2T, strips of cloth 28 are provided and attached to the ends of the door 25 and the end pieces of the fiange or mouth 27. These cloth strips 28 also serve to limit the outward movement of the door 25. An inward ly-swin gin g screendoor 29 is provided at the rear side of the drier near its lower end and admits of foreign matter, such as sand and other heavy particles, being readily removed from the drier when disengaged from the feathers. This screen-door 29 inclines inwardly, and the aetive ends of the agitator-frame 30 sweep in close proximity thereto to prevent the lodgment of feathers in the angle which would be provided but for the said door 29, and which forces the aforesaid foreign matter through the screen-door and out of the drier.

The agitator-frame SOis rectangular in elevation, or may be of any desired outline to conform to the shape of the drying-chamber,

and is provided at its sides with journals. which obtain bearings in the sides of the said drying-chamber. One journal of said frame is projected and has a crank 31 and a bandpulley attached thereto, the crank being a convenient means of limparting movement to the said agitator. An endless belt 33 connects the pulley 32 with a smaller pulley S-l on the fan-shaft, whereby movement is imparted to the said fan simultaneously with the operation of the agitator 30.

In assembling the parts and proportioning the same care should be taken to have the agitator-frame 8O of sufficient dimensions, so as to operate in substantially the entire space inclosed by the walls of the drier, thereby agitating the feathers and preventing the lodgment of the same in any part of the dryin g-chamber.

In using the apparatus the feathers to be renovated are placed in the washer 1, preferably through the door 37, which latter is then closed. The hot water and wet steam, either or both, are passed into the receptacle l1 through the spout 14 from any suitable source of supply, after which the agitator 6 is rotated a sufIicient length of time until the cleansing process is properly effected.

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the completion of the washing process the dirty water is drawn off from the receptacle 11 through the spout 15, and steam or hot water is supplied to the space l2 to heat the inner receptacle 11 to facilitate the expulsion or driving off of the surplus moisture. The doors 18 are opened and screens 19 placed in position for the escape of the moisture in the shape of vapor. During this time the agitator (i is operated so as to lighten the feathers, whereby the moisture is rapidly driven off. YVhen the feathers are sufficiently dried, that is, after the surplus moisture has been expelled, the door 2O is opened and the agitator 6 rotated in such a manner as to force the feathers from the washer into the drier through the opening previously closed by the door 20. After the feathers have passed into the drying-chamber the door 20 is closed and the agitator-frame 8O operated. The frame in its movements lifts the feathers and keeps them in motion within the dryingchamber, and the fan 22 being set in motion creates a blast through the drying-chamber, which carries off the last traces of moisture and thoroughly and effectuall y dries the feathers without rendering the quills brittle or in any manner affecting the flexibility thereof. Af ter the feathers have been thoroughly dried the tick is secured to the mouth 27, the door 26 being opened, and the said agitator 30 is operated in such a manner as to force the feathers through the opening closed bythe door 26 and into the tick 35, thereby completing the process.

The door 26 when open inclines to the vertical and away from the rear end of the dryingcharnber at its lower end and acts as a deiiector to direct the feathers into the tiek. This door has its middle portion open and closed by a screen-cloth which provides for the escape of the air-blast created by the rotation of the agitator, so that the feathers will be quickly filled into the tick. The side members of the flange or mouth 27 are made tapering and are widened at their lower ends, whereby the tick may stand away from the rear end of the drying-chamber and not obstruct the ingress of air through the door 29.

It will be observed that while one batch of feathers is being dried another batch can at the same time be washed. Hence the process of washing and drying may be considered practically as being continuous.

It will be further noticed that the feature of filling the tick mechanically is of vast importance and a marked improvement in this class of apparatus.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

The fan-case is provided with a second door 36, above the door 23, to admit a direct blast into the drier when required or permit of ready access to the interior of the fan-case for any desired purpose. This door 36 is hinged at its lower edge and is adapted to open into the drier at its upper edge and inclines sli ghtly from a vertical line, so as to remain normally closed.

The door 37 is located in the lower outer portion of the section 3 of the washer, and when opened the space is closed by a screen 38, which admits air to the washer to facilitate the-drying of the feathers, the moisture passing olf through the opening` closed by the doors 1S, as already stated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isi-- l. In a feather-renovating apparatus, the combination of a drying-chamber having a delivery-openin g in a side thereof near its upper end, a flange inclosing the sides and bottom of the said opening and gradually widening toward its lower end, a screen-door hinged above the delivery-opening to close the same and adapted to swing outward at its lower end and form a deiiector to direct the feathers into the tick and admit of the escape of the air-current, strips of textile fabric connecting the edges of the door with the side members of the aforesaid flange, and an agitator to force the feathers from the dryingchamber through the delivery-opening and into the tick secured to the lower portion of the said flange and deiiecting-door, substantially as set forth. f

2. In a feather-renovating apparatus, the combination of a washer and a drier disposed in cooperative relation and in the same horizontal plane, the washer having the lower portion adjacent to the drier curved, and the drier having its lower adjacent portion oppositely inclining, an agitator arranged in the drying-chamber to lighten the feathers, and a fan located in the space formed between the curved side of the washer and the inclined portion of the drier to act in conjunction with the said agitator to lighten the feathers and expel the last traces of moisture therefrom in the nal stage of the renovating process, substantially in the manner specified.

3. In a feather-renovating apparatus, the combination with the drying-chamber provided at its lower corner with an inwardlyswinging screen-door which normally inclines from the perpendicular, of an agitator arranged within the drying-chamber and adapted to sweep over the said screen-door in close proximity thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

t. The herein-described feather-renovating apparatus, comprising a washer and adryingchamber in cooperative relation, the washer having screen-closed openings in its top side, and the drying-chamber having a deliveryopening in its rear side, an agitator arranged within the washer, a second agitator located in the drying-chamber and adapted to force the feathers through the delivery-opening, a

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screen-door for closing the said de1ive1y-open- In testimony that I Claim the foregoing as Io ing and hinged above. the opening to form a my own I have hereto affixed my signature in deeotor when swung outwardly at its lower the presence of two Witnesses.

end, a fan arranged in the space formed be- 5 tween the lower corner of the drying-ehmn- TILLIAM ALLISON LOUGHRY.

bei' and the opposing side of the Washer, and a blast-regulating guard opening into the dry- Vtuesses: ing-chamber, substantially as and for the pur- SAMUEL W. LOUGHRY,

pose set forth. JESSE N. SHERBURNE. 

